Up and Away 2011 Ballarat Cup winner

Composure on top of ability was needed to win the 2011 Ballarat Cup (450m) when a blackout delayed the final last night.

A local power shortage saw finalists go back to their kennel after already parading.

It mattered little to the placid Up And Away who took it in her stride and placed a second Group 2 event on to her resume.

The Graeme Bate-trained bitch started juicy odds at $6.60, bounced straight to the lead before being headed by bolter Lektra Express.

Race favourite Cape Hawke moved into gear from box eight and worked to the outside of Up And Away before the winner made her move.

Cape Hawke’s box eight hoodoo continued having now had three starts from the alley for little result.

Up And Away collected the $40,000 first prize and added the Group 2 2011 Ballarat Cup to her Group 2 Great Chase and Group 1 Laurels victories.

Already the highest prize-money earner of the 2011 Ballarat Cup final before the race, she stamped her class and moved money earned to $179,450.

Up And Away defeated Lektra Express with Bala Bale sneaking up for third – Cape Hawke made up the first four.

“I knew the electricity problems that the track was experiencing wouldn’t faze her at all because she’s such a placid dog, so I was just trying to stay nice and calm”, owner Anne Sinnott said.

“She is the star of the show tonight and she has had her problems in the past but Graeme has got on top of them.

“He told me that he would keep trying until he got back on top which he has.

“It’s great to return to the top level of racing.”

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